It is tempting to say that, due to covid restrictions, nothing much has been happening and that would, sadly, be true in terms of the amount of activities I have been able to participate in but, as always, I have tried to keep active and engaged although much of life seems to now take place remotely and via the internet.
The FD and I did attend a fabulous socially distanced gig on November 1st in Tring. A gig by Storm Warning in tribute to their guitarist Bob Moore who sadly died a few weeks earlier. Guitarists Del Bromham (of Stray) and Joe Nethercott filled Bob’s shoes and the band played a great set including several numbers from their fabulous new album, Different Horizons. This was the first gig I had attended since February 2nd in the Netherlands.
I have tried to support my many friends in the music industry by buying CDs and other merchandise. My top ten albums of 2020 are as follows:
- Maverick – King King
- The Blues Headlines – Neville Marten’s Blues Collective
- Coat of Arms – Wishbone Ash
- Different Horizons – Storm warning
- True Colours – Ben Granfelt
- River Flows – Muddy Manninen
- Ordinary Madness – Walter Trout
- Mass Hysteria – Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham
- Who’s Directing Your Movie – Ali Maas and Micky Moody
- What I have found is already lost – Firekind and Desert Trip – Steve Hill
The annual Ashcon event in Leicester in November had to be cancelled and so my annual night of rock star fame fell victim to covid. Hopefully the event will be back better than ever in 2021.
Having cancelled four holidays this year, Sue and I did manage to grab a long weekend in Cornwall at the beginning of December. We just needed a change of scenery and three nights at the historic Jamaica Inn provided a base for us to gently explore further this beautiful part of the UK. Whilst away we managed to catch up with ex ISVA Presidents Roger Carson and John Buddle together with their wives Linda and Betty.
I was also able to pick up some delivery boxes from Treviskers just outside Padstow for Kevin Ellis (Land & New Homes Network) and his daughter Vicky for the annual charitable Christmas lunch in Marlborough. Kevin kindly bought us lunch at Treviskers but we were delighted to be able to assist and dropped them off in Marlborough on our way back.
The football has been disappointing so far this season. Whilst Watford have been grinding out a position near the top of the league, the style of play has been grim and resulted in the axe falling on Vladimir Ivic’s career on 19th December just a couple of weeks after he was awarded the "kiss of death" of the Champuionship Manager of the Month award! As I write we await news of who will be next through the revolving door at Vicarage Road.
On paper the squad is the best in the Championship but matches are not won on paper and there does seem to be an unhelpful undercurrent of discontent in the dressing room.
I have not attended any games this season but have seen every minute via live internet streaming.
Like everyone, my diary is now devoid of social activity as we end the year and start the next. It can only be hoped that we find a route out of the pandemic that will allow us all to better enjoy time with family and friends and doing the things we enjoy.
Maybe I will finally get round to recording that album that has been lurking in my head and on demo recordings – you have been warned!